By: Peneyambeko Jonas
The removal of illegal fences from Namibia’s communal areas has become a key issue in protecting and enabling grazing and arable land for all, as part of a broader goal to support livestock farming, household incomes and rural community livelihoods.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has intensified operations on the removal of unauthorised fences, saying that they have restricted access to communal grazing areas, which impacts farmers who depend on communal grazing for livelihood.
Since 2025, the programme has been implemented in regions including Omaheke, Kavango East, Kavango West and Oshikoto.
The Ministry reported that five illegal fences covering about 4,000.72 hectares were removed in Kavango East, while three fences covering 2,914.35 hectares were removed in Kavango West.
Two additional fences in Kavango West were voluntarily removed by their owners after engagements with authorities.
For many rural communities, communal land is an important economic resource.
Livestock farmers rely on open grazing areas to feed their animals, grow their herds and maintain their livelihoods.
When large areas are fenced without approval, farmers may lose access to grazing and water resources, affecting livestock productivity and household income.
Elias Hashiko, a livestock herder from Oshandja village, said illegal fencing has created challenges for farmers trying to find grazing areas for their animals.
“Those illegal fences are everywhere, and they have made grazing very difficult for us. Imagine you are pushing livestock to graze on empty land while there is good grazing land locked behind a fence, and you do not even know who it belongs to,” Hashiko said.
He said opening up unlawfully fenced areas would give farmers better access to land and support livestock production.
“Removing these illegal fences will make grazing easier because farmers will have access to more land for their animals. Communal land should benefit everyone who depends on it,” he added.
The Ministry said illegal fencing limits access to common grazing areas and creates disputes among communities. It stated that communal land should remain available to lawful users and that fences on communal land require approval under the Communal Land Reform Act, 2002.
The law provides procedures for identifying and removing fences that do not have the required authorisation. Authorities are required to verify the legality of structures, notify affected individuals and allow opportunities for voluntary compliance before removal takes place.
Deputy Director of Lands in Kavango West, Justine Milinga, said reported cases of illegal fencing are investigated before decisions are made.
“Based on the merits of each case, the board investigates reports of illegal fencing received,” Milinga said.
Residents say the issue also affects access to land for settlement and community development.
Selma Shingo from Onamishu village said she supports the removal of illegal fences because some people are struggling to find communal land for settlement while large areas remain enclosed and unused.
“I am very happy to hear about the removal of these illegal fences because sometimes people are looking for communal land for settlement, but there is no land available. Yet there is a very big piece of land fenced off and locked away. Why?” Shingo asked.
She said communal land should benefit the wider community instead of being controlled by individuals who do not use the areas.
“That land belongs to the community. No one should fence off such a big portion of land if they are not making use of it,” she said.
The ministry said the operations involve cooperation between Regional Councils, Communal Land Boards, Traditional Authorities and the Namibia Youth Service.
As Namibia works to strengthen agriculture and rural economic development, access to communal grazing land remains central to the future of small-scale livestock farmers.
Ensuring fair use of these resources could help more rural households improve production and strengthen their contribution to the economy.
Penny@eaglefm.com.na
